Improvement in animal-traps



.J. H. KING. Animal-Trap.

No. 207,528. Patented Aug. 27, I878 ED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

JACOB 11. KING, or NEW PARIS, OHIO.

IM PROVEM ENT IN ANlMAL-TRAPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 207,528, dated August 27, 1878, application filed June 7, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB H. KING, of New Paris, in the county of Preble and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Animal Traps; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, and in which- I Figure 1 is a perspective view. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 is a side view of the latch or trigger which is used in combination with and forms a part of my invention.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

This invention relates to animal-traps of that class in which the animal is caught by the tilting of a door or trap, which causes it to fall down into a tub, barrel, or bucket (preferably filled with water) placed under the trap; and it consists in an improved construction and combination of parts, substantially as hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawing, A A are the side pieces of my improved trap, united at each end by bottom slats or cross-pieces a a and B is the end piece. 0 is the roof or cover, secured upon the frame A A by pins 0 c, fitting into holes in the side pieces. This roof may extend along a portion of the trap only, as in the drawing; or it may be made to cover this for its entire length; or it may be omitted altogether, as desired, according to the class of animals for which the trap is to be used. For catching rats, mice, and other small animals, a removable half-cover, such as that shown in the drawing, is preferable.

D is the bait-board, armed with hooks or rongs d d to hold the bait, and placed in a slanting position between the side pieces A A. E F are the trap-doors, which are pivoted at e and f, respectively, in the side pieces A A, and lie in a plane with each other when the trap is set. Each of the doors E F has a weight, g h, inserted into or secured upon its rear end, so as to cause this to overbalance the forward end, and thereby bring the doors into their normal position again every time they have been tipped or tilted. The rear .or meeting ends of each door are beveled to prevent their binding in tilting, the door E having secured upon one side a metal strip, i, and door F having a projecting metal plate, k, bent at a right angle at its front end, and secured adjustably to the under side of the door by set-screws b b, so that it may be moved forward or backward, projecting with its bent end a greater or lesser distance from the re cessed edge of the door, according as circumstances shall render it desirable. To admit of the adjustment of the plate k, door F is recessed at one side, as shown at 1, so that when the plate is set forward its bent end will project into this recess.

G is the latch or trigger, which consists of a semicircular cam pivoted upon a pin or bolt, m, upon the inner side of one of the side pieces A. This latch has a recess, 02, in its upper semicircular part and three projecting points or teeth, denoted by n o 19, respectively, at its lower edge below the pivotingpoint; and its play or movement to either side is controlled or regulated by two pins, 1" 7', projecting from the side piece A into the recess a in the upper curve of the latch.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawing, the operation of my improved animal-trap will be readily understood. After it has been placed over a tub or barrel filled with water an inclined plank is placed so as to lead from the floor or ground up into the trap and afford ready access thereto for the animals. As one of these advances over the floor of the trap toward the bait the trap-door E will remain solid and firm, as it is'upheld by the middle tooth or lug 0 of the latch or trigger G, which is prevented from turning or tilting on its pivot by its rear lug p bearing against the bent end of plate It, as shown in Fig. 2, but the moment the animal steps upon or touches door F this will be depressed and plate k will slip from under the lug 1), thus enabling the latch to tilt freely; and, as the greater part of the weight of the animal is upon door E, both trap-doors will tilt and open from each other, letting the animal drop down between them into the receptacle placed below. After this the trap will immediately reset itself by the trap-doors returning to their normal or level position; and as the rear end of duofE is heavier weighted than i the corresponding end of door F, it (E) will be the first to return to its position, and thereby set the latch or trigger G to receive the binding-plate or catch 70 back of its lug p, when the trap is ready for another catch, and so on, the trap setting itself automatically every time the platforms are tilted.

This trap may be made of different sizes, ac-

cording to the uses for which it is intended; and, if desired, the bait-board and bait may be omitted if, for example, the trap is placed in the track or path of the animals. Such details in the construction of the trap will be governed by the nature and characteristics of the animals for which it is intended to be used.

This trap can be made to operate from either end by duplicating the triggers and giving the tilting platforms the same amount of play at each end.

Havingthus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States-- 1. The pivoted latch or trigger G, recessed at n, and having projecting lugs or teeth it 0 p on its under side, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.

2. The combination, with the pivoted latch or trigger G, recessed as at n, and having projecting lugs or teeth at 0 p on its under side, of the tilting trap-door F, having adjustable catchplate is, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The improved animal-trap herein shown and described, consisting, essentially, of a frame, A A a a, bait-board D, having hooks d cl, pivoted weighted double doors E F, adjustable catch-plate k, and pivoted latch or trigg'er G, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth. I

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own 1 have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JACOB H. KING.

Witnesses:

W. A. MOWHINNEY, L. RICHEY. 

